Somalia Mogadishu: Explosions hits capital

At least two explosions have rocked the Somali capital Mogadishu, just two weeks after huge bomb killed more than 350 people, Owojela’s Blog learnt.

The first blast was caused by a car bomb being driven into a hotel. Militants then stormed the building.

The second explosion took place near the former parliament house nearby. The number of casualties is unclear.

The Islamist militant group al-Shabab - which officials blamed for the attack two weeks ago - said it carried out the latest bombings.

Police officer Mohamed Hussein told Reuters news agency: "At least seven people including soldiers and civilians died".

The city's Aamin Ambulance said it had already ferried 15 wounded, adding there were "many dead bodies".

Major Abdullahi Aden told Reuters: "It is a busy hotel frequented by lawmakers, (military) forces and civilians."

Police official Ibrahim Mohamed told AFP news agency that in the second explosion a "minibus loaded with explosives" went off at a nearby intersection.

The attacks comes as provincial leader gather in Mogadishu for a meeting on Sunday with the government to agree on a united strategy against al-Shabab.

The 14 October attack left at least 358 dead, and another 56 still missing.